"Performances that have left their mark on the team’s history" - Decathlon CMA CGM say goodbye to two-time Grand Tour podium and Tour de France stage winner
Cycling
Decathlon CMA CGM have said goodbye to Felix Gall as the rider leaves the team after five seasons that included two Grand Tour podiums as well as a memorable Tour de France stage win.
The Austrian rider joins Lidl-Trek in 2027, leaving the team after signing off with a strong 2026 season that saw him finish in second place at the Giro d'Italia and third place at the Vuelta a Espana.
Paying tribute to the 28-year-old, Decathlon penned an emotional goodbye to Gall, sharing a video of some of his best moments with the structure and a special message.
"Felix we watched you grow under our colours. A devoted teammate in your early days, you became, season after season, a leader of international stature," the team wrote in a statement.
Felix, On t’a vu grandir sous nos couleurs. Équipier dévoué à tes débuts, tu es devenu au fil des saisons un leader d’envergure internationale. Une étape du Tour de Suisse et une étape du Tour de France en 2023, deux podiums de Grands Tours en 2026 (2e du Giro d'Italia, 3e de La Vuelta), 5e du Tour de France 2025, sans oublier le classement général et une étape de la Vuelta a Burgos : 4 victoires et des performances qui ont marqué l’histoire de l’équipe. Merci pour tout ce que tu nous as apporté. On te souhaite le meilleur pour la suite de ta carrière 🙌 Vielen Dank Felix 💙 /// Felix, We watched you grow under our colours. A devoted teammate in your early days, you became, season after season, a leader of international stature. A stage at the Tour de Suisse and a stage at the Tour de France in 2023, two Grand Tour podiums in 2026 (2nd at the Giro d’Italia, 3rd at La Vuelta), 5th at the 2025 Tour de France, not to mention the overall classification and a stage at the Vuelta a Burgos: 4 wins and performances that have left their mark on the team’s history. Thank you for everything you’ve given us. We wish you all the best for the rest of your career 🙌 Vielen Dank Felix 💙 #DECATHLONCMACGMTEAM
— DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM (@decathloncmacgm) October 19, 2026
Decathlon thank Felix Gall
"A stage at the Tour de Suisse and a stage at the Tour de France in 2023, two Grand Tour podiums in 2026 (2nd at the Giro d’Italia, 3rd at La Vuelta), 5th at the 2025 Tour de France, not to mention the overall classification and a stage at the Vuelta a Burgos: 4 wins and performances that have left their mark on the team’s history.
The team added: "Thank you for everything you’ve given us. We wish you all the best for the rest of your career."
2026 exemplified Gall's progress as he confirmed his status as one of the strongest climbers in cycling, competing with Jonas Vingegaard in the Giro as well as competing amongst the top overall contenders in the Vuelta. Before the Vuelta, he took a Vuelta a Burgos stage win and took the only overall win of his career so far.
Read also
Felix Gall's Decathlon highlights
During his spell with the team, he won a stage at the 2023 Tour de Suisse before following it up with a stage win at the Tour - taking a breakaway win in the stage best known for Tadej Pogacar's Col de la Loze collapse that led to Vingegaard's second yellow jersey win.
His best Tour finish came in 2025 when he finished in fifth place overall. Throughout his career, he has finished in the top ten at five Grand Tours.
His stellar 2026 campaign also coincided with the rise of Paul Seixas, who led the team at the Tour de France, and is likely to continue as the French setup's main leader. At Lidl-Trek, he also faces several other potential Grand Tour leaders such as Juan Ayuso and Mattias Skjelmose as well as sprinters Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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